Mark recently attended Housing Justice’s ‘Night Shelter Summit’ in London with our Shelter Manager Viv.

He went on stage and spoke about what is important for a night shelter and his experiences of staying in one.

I went to the event because I appreciated the help I got at Emmanuel House’s Winter Shelter. I want to supporting it any way I can.

I split up with my partner and was sleeping in my car for 6 weeks. It was October and it suddenly got very cold and damp. I’m classed as disabled and was speaking to someone at the council for help. They told me to ring the Street Outreach team and they came to see me in my car. The next day, I was referred to Emmanuel House’s Night Shelter. I was one of the first people to stay there.

I’m very grateful to the staff there. They helped me tremendously. They took me off the streets, gave me a comfortable bed, did my washing, fed me nice food and helped me with my Universal Credit. I’m now living in private rented accommodation.

I take my hat off to Viv. She ran a very good house. She gave everyone one chance and everyone respected her. I came away thinking the staff were amazing.

I’ve never taken drugs and I don’t drink. I suppose I’m different to the kind of people that you’d stereotypically think would be on the streets. Staying at the Winter Shelter has helped me to understand other people. That’s worth its weight in gold. I always stereotyped people that are ‘homeless’ and now I look at people who live on the streets very differently. I have stayed friends with a few people I lived with at the Winter Shelter and continue to support them if I can.

Mark, Winter Shelter guest

Read more about our Winter Shelter provision.